This week was busy--busier than normal--but still full of plenty of moments to be thankful for...
Monday, April 4
For the past few months, a couple of the tires on the Traverse have been consistently tripping the "low pressure" alert. We (and by "we" I mean "Josh) would fill the tires and, depending on the weather, that would last a week or so. But lately, the week had turned into a day or two, so we took it in for a checkup and oil change. After work today, we went to pick it (and its two brand new tires....sigh) up from the dealership. The girls entertained themselves in the car, and then both fell asleep on the way home.
Tuesday, April 5
Josh decided to add to his workout wardrobe with something that is both functional and fashionable. Eat your heart out, Daniel LaRusso.
Wednesday, April 6
Today Ellie had her follow-up appointment at Just Kidz. She was so brave, and the appointment went well. We go back in a couple of weeks to ensure that the one remaining tooth that was questionable has continued to heal (it is still sensitive, though thankfully not loose) and at that appointment, they'll likely go ahead and take the molds for her spacers/baby teeth bridge.
This whole situation has continued to be heartbreaking for me and Josh, even though in the grand scheme of things we know it could have been much worse and that we're very fortunate to have children who are happy and healthy. For the first time, Ellie started to show the signs of how much her accident has impacted her--her brave face gave way to some anxiety, and to some tears. What a thing for her to have gone through. We tried to assure her that the worst was most definitely behind her and things would be easier going forward. Thankfully, her appointment today was low stress and high fun. She enjoyed modeling her "Yertle the Turtle" bib and even wore it home to show Rita. Here's hoping her next appointment goes as well.
Thursday, April 7
Elaina has never considered dandelions anything but beautiful little testaments to spring. She gathers them up and makes bouquets and sniffs them as if they are the finest roses. And then she comes away with a little yellow nose. :)
Friday, April 8
Today, starting around 4:00, was a great day. (Not that it was bad before then. It's just that I was at work.) Ellie had her first birthday party to go to for a classmate, and she was thrilled. She asked every day how many more days til the party and was quite happy to be dropped off for it. Since we have typically taken Ellie to do something fun when Elaina had a classmate party to attend, we decided to make this a special day for her as well.
I took her to the Cookie Jar, a European Bakery that opened downtown last year. It was our first time going, and we will definitely be back. Elaina feasted on two chocolate covered strawberries while I admired the charming decor. While we were there, the weather, which had been awful all day (temperatures in the low 40s with 40mph winds), whipped up a quick graupel storm and looked a bit too much like a Winter Wonderland in April for my liking. When it stopped a few minutes later, I gathered up Elaina and the two huge sticky buns I'd bought for Saturday breakfast, and we headed to our next stop.
We hopped across the street and went to the candy shop, which also opened last year. It was kind of a letdown after the Cookie Jar, but Elaina got to play with magic sand and had a banana fudge ice cream cone that was roughly the size of her head, so she didn't complain.
It was a lot of fun, though quick. I ran her home and then ran back to town to get Ellie. After dinner, Josh and I ventured out into the ridiculous cold and wind in an attempt to cover up some of the the blooms on our peach tree. (I so desperately want some peaches this summer...). In the end, I'm not sure it did any good, but it didn't hurt, either.
Saturday, April 9
On the way to pick Ellie up from her birthday party, I happened to hear a commercial on the radio advertising a speaking event to be held today. John Shelby Spong, a renowned retired bishop in the Episcopalian church and a somewhat controversial biblical scholar, was speaking at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Peoria. As soon as I heard the advertisement, I knew we had to go. Bishop Spong's work has been incredibly impactful for both Josh and myself over the past year and a half and Rita was kind enough to watch the girls so we could go. It was such an enjoyable, informative experience. Bishop Spong spoke mostly on the history of the New Testament--what was written when, by whom, how much time passed between Jesus' death and when the texts were written, etc--and the book of Matthew (a Jewish audience, as opposed to John, a Gentile audience), and then he answered a variety of questions, including a passionate discourse on the acceptance of LGBTQ in the church and his understanding of Jesus's resurrection (figurative, not literal). I am so glad we able to go. Two and a half hours well spent.
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Today was a good day for snuggles :)
Ellie obviously thought I was good enough for snuggles, too. She climbed on my back while watching America's Funniest Videos, and then, as I tried to sneak a picture, decided a snuggly photobomb was in order as well.
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